Marking machine



March 21, 1944. J, E, FERGUSON MARKING MACHINE Filed Dec. 15, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheetv l March 21, 1944. J; E. FERGUSON` 2,344,930

MARKING MACHINE Filed Dec. 15, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 /f E ATTO RN EYS J. E. FERGUSON 2,344,930

MARKING MACHINE Filed neo. 15, 1941 s sheets-sheet s March 21, 1944.

Patented Mar. 21, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE (Cl. i-37) 9 Claims.

AThis invention relates to marking apparatus and more particularly to a machine for marking shell casings or the like with indicia.

vIn the large-scale production of ordnance equipment, such as shells or shell casings, each piece must be properly marked for example, for identification as to use, source, lot number, and otherwise, so that it can be quickly allocated for use in the eld, and traced for source and the like. Where high speed of production exists and is essential, manual marking of each piece `is not practicable because of its slowness among many reasons.

' It is an object of the present invention to provide eiiective automatic marking means for each ieee which may be located at a convenient point in the production line, and which will serve to mark `the piece with appropriate and required indicia without interfering with the general production rate of the pieces.

- Another object of the invention is to provide marking means that may be lreadily and quickly altered Whenever necessary without extensive stoppages of the machine.

Still another object ofthe invention is to provide novel means for applying the markings without subjecting the pieces to impact shocks.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide means for applying the marking without requiring reciprocatory movement of the marking die.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, this invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts, hereinafter described and then sought to be defined in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, and which show, merely for the purposes of illustrative disclosure,

a preferred embodiment of the invention, it be-v ing expressly understood, however, that various changes may be made in practice without digressing from the inventive idea.

Vvin the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote corresponding parts,

Fig. l is a vertical sectional elevation of the machine;

Fig.. 2 is a transverse cross-section taken along line 2 2 of Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a transverse cross-section taken along line 3 3 of Fig. l and viewed in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view partially in section of the device of Fig. 1; Y

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the indicia impressing member of the machine;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line S-G of Fig. 5 and viewed in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan View of a shell casing upon which the indicia have been impressed.

Referring to the drawings, l0 denotes a frame or support having a top sloping downwardly from its receiving end R, to its delivery end D. Extending transversely of the frame and below said top are a pair of rotatable sprocket axles i3 and hi. These axles respectively are supported in bearings I5, iu suitably fastened to the table top li, or to other suitable portions of the support. The axles i3 and I4 each carry' a pair of sprocket wheels respectively designated by the reference numerals il and I8. The sprocket wheels on each axle are spaced apart being located at opposite sides of the frame l0, and a wheel of each pair Il is in alignment with the corresponding wheel of the other pair I8.

Endless chains 20 and 2| are supported respectively on the sets of aligned sprocket wheels Il and i8. Each of the chains 2i] and 2| carries a plurality o1" angle clips or engaging members 23. These members 23 extend transversely, normal to the surface of the chain to which they are attached, and are uniformly spaced on each of said chains. The side edges of these members are arcuately recessed at 24 and the spacing between members is such that a shell casingr S.C., or the like, will be engaged snugly between any corresponding pair of members 23 of each chain, and also rests on the top surface of the chain links between said pairs of members 23.

A pairv oi upright guides 21, 2S are provided. These guides are mounted respectively along opposite sides of the table top il and extend parallel to the conveyor chains 2|) and 2|. The guides 2, 28 have the outer upright nanges 2l', 28' whose heights are so admeasured as to extend at least to the center line of a transversely supported shell casing S.C. Auxiliary upright `iianges 29 and 39 extend parallel to said flanges 2l and 28', but only to a height equal substantially to that of the conveyor chains 2B, 2l above the top of table I. The shell casing S.C. is thus slidably guided along the top edge of flange 29 -at least as itis moved by the chains 20, 2|.

Spacing bars 3|, 32 are carried by the respective flanges 2l', 23. These bars are so admeasured in thickness that the opposite ends E and F of the casings S.C. slidably lit between them as the latter are moved over the table top II by the conveyor chains 20, 2i.

The shell casings are normally adapted to be fed by hand to the conveyor chains 2i] and 2i at the receiving end R of the table top II.

Take-off mechanism 40 is provided at the delivery end D of the conveyor chains to remove the shell casings S.C. from the conveyor and deliver them continuously at a controlled rate to the indicia impressing mechanism to be presently described.

This take-Gif mechanism comprises a frame tI. This frame carries on suitable supports a driving motor 42, whose shaft i3 is connected to a suitable gear reducer 44. The output shaft of the latter carries a driving sprocket gear I5 which serves, as will be presently described, to drive all moving parts of the apparatus.

An auxiliary frame Il is carried by the frame iii The auxiliary frame comprises the respective upright end brackets 48, 49 secured respectively at d, 5I to the frame 4I. YThese uprights, or end brackets, are provided with axially-aligned bearing openings 52, 53 which, in turn, are fittedwith bearings 5ft, 55 carrying the transversely-extending shaft 5in. The latter is locked against longitudinal displacement by the thrust bearings 51, E8 and the looking nuts 59, 69. It may be shifted longitudinally by adjustment of these nuts and the locking collar L.

The shaft 5% is splined at 6I and 62, the latter splining being longer than the rst, and fitted with keys t4, 65. Take-olf wheels 96, Gli are carried on the shaft being keyed respectively to keys 6d and yt5. The take-off wheels each have respectively the teeth 68 located at regular intervals around each circumference. The teeth have hook-like shape and the spaces 59 between are curved arcuately to receive and nest a shell casing SC. removed by the teeth from the conveyor chains 29, 2i. The teeth on one wheel are radially aligned with corresponding teeth on the other wheel.

The take-off wheels E6, 6I are attached respectively by bolts 19, II to the keyed wheels 'I2,

'13. A sprocket gear 'M is keyed to the shaft 56 onkey 65. A second sprocket gear I5 is keyed to the conveyor chains 29, 2i. Both are driven continuously and the ysurface speed ratios of the chains and take-off wheels is such that a shell casing is delivered to and taken up by each set of teeth 98 as they arrive under the shell casing at the delivery end D of the conveyor chains. The individual shell casings taken up by the teeth of the take-off wheels S6, 6T are moved to an impression-applying position and from there to a delivery chute or conveyor. It is necessary in this movement to guide the open ends E of these casings. A guide ring 80 is provided for this purpose. This, ring fits loosely about the circumferential edge of the wheel I2 and is loosely attached to wheel 61 by headed bolts 8l. Suitable-springs 82 surrounding these bolts and lying within recesses 83 serve to urge the ring 80 away from wheel 96 to the limit permitted by the heads on said bolts SI. The guide ring 80 is thus yieldable and rockable, in

In this way power from the motor serves to drive the take-off wheels 66, GI andY fact, self-adjustable for a purpose to be presently described.

The upright end plates t3 and i9 are rigidly spaced with respect to each other by the cross or tie rods 85 which extend between them and through longitudinally aligned openings S6 in said plates. The said rods are adjustable by reason of their respective positioning nuts 8l.

Parallelly-extending spaced bearing brackets or anges S8, 89 are provided on the end plate 48. These flanges extend inwardly of said plate and are provided with the axially-aligned bearings 9I, 92 for a spindle 93. The axis of this spindle is arranged at an angle with the vertical. A tapered impression roller 94 is keyed at 95 to the spindle. A suitable thrust bearing 97 prevents longitudinal displacement of this roller. The angular arrangement of the spindle 93 with respect to the roller 94 is such that the innermost portion of the roller 9 at 98 is always substantially vertical or parallel to the face of the end F of the shell casing S.C.Y

The spindle 93 has a bevel spur gear 99 suitably fixed thereto. This gear in turn meshes with an annular bevel gear Idil which is suitably attached to the take-off wheel 91 by the bolts IUI, being concentric with the axis -of the said wheel. Thus, in the ratio of gears 99 and it, rotation of wheels El will impart rotation to the spindle 93 and, consequently, to the impression roller 94.

The impression roller 9d is provided on its tapered face with indicia dies m2. These include both permanent and removable indicia impression dies. TheV permanent portions, such, for example, as the size indicia a, the word lot b, and the manufacturers name c, may tbe protruding die characters formed reversely on the surface of the impression roller at A, B and C. The changeable indicia, for example, the government numerical designation d, the lot number e, and the date of manufacture f, are each provided on removable die blocks IEM, |65, H99, which may be positioned within receiving recesses II, IiIS, |09,

. by suitable set screws I lil.

The arrangement both of the permanent indicia and the changeable indicia with respect to the surface of the roller 94 is such that each complete revolution of said roller 94 during the rotation of the take-off rollers 5t, S'I the pitch of a single tooth S8, will bring the roller mounted impression indicia into proper impressing position on the face F of the shell casing S.C. to impress by rolling such indicia into the surface in the manner indicated by Fig. 7.

.The necessary pressure for causing the impression is provided at the'opposite end E of the casing. The end plate 49 is provided with an opening I I2 in axial alignment Vwith the axis of the uppermost shell casing S.C. This opening is recessed at I I3 and a sleeve I I4 is tted within the opening. The sleeve has an annular flange IIE which then rests in said recess I i3.Y The sleeve is internally threaded at I IS and receives threadedly a threaded adjustment plug I Il which is provided u tical spindle |25. A guide Irod `|25 extends from said member |23 through the bores H9 and |22.

The 'rod is threaded at |26' to receive the locking nuts |2`|. A heavy compression spring |28 surrounds the rod |26 and extends between the opposing faces of plug ||1 and member |23 serving to urge the yoke member |23 away from plug ||1 to the limit permitted by the locking nuts |21. Adjustment of plug lll' regulates the pressure of spring |28.

A vertical spindle |29 extends between the tines of the yoke member |23, This spindle carries on roller bearings a roller |3| which has a convex rolling surface |32 which is maintained in rolling contact with the guide plate Si] by the action of spring |23. Movement of the yoke member |23 in opposition to the spring |28 is limited by the abutment of its end |23 with the annular iiange H5. v The connection between rod |26 and yoke |23 is of such a nature as to allow for slight arcuate motion of member |23.

Thus, as each shell casing S.C. is moved by the take-off rollers 66, 61 to the position shown in Fig. 3 between the impression roller 94 and pressure roller |3|, the impression indicia on roller B4 bear on theface F of said shell casing, and :pressure from roller ISI on plate 89 and thence on end E of the shell casing under action of spring |28, is sufficient to cause the die indicia on roller 94 to make a permanent impression by4 being rolled into the face F of the shell casing. The entire impression is not made simultaneously, but

is impressed sequentially by rolling as the shell casing is moved through the Zone between the two rollers 94 and ISI. Both rollers rotate at the same surface speed as that of surface F and in consequence the indicia are rolled into said surface from the roller Sil as the latter rotates.

The thus marked shell casings are carried beyond the impression zone by the continued movement of the take-off wheels E5, 6l and delivered to a gravity delivery chute or conveyor |33.

It is clear that the motor 42 serves as a common drive means for all the moving parts. The gearing ratio of sprocket` gears l and 'le and sprocket gears 'l5 and 18 is such that the speed of the take-off wheels 66, 61 and their teeth 68 is such as to take off in succeeding pairs of teeth 63 the successive shell casings S.C. delivered by the conveyor chains 223, 2|. Likewise, the gearing ratio between gears 99 and |00 is such as to give the impression roller 94 a surface speed at its tangent contact with surface F equal to that of the speed of said surface F of the shell casing SC. as the latter is moved past said roller 94 by the take-off wheels 66, 6l. Y

In operation, the shell casings S.C. are placed by hand on the conveyor chains 2G, 2i between pairs of angle clips 23. The conveyor chains move the shell casings along the table V|| between guide flanges 2l', 28 to the delivery end D at which point each shell casing in turn is taken off by a pair of take-off teeth on the rotating take-off wheels 66, Eil. lThese teeth carry the shell casings one by one between the yieldable guide plate Sli adjacent the pressure roller |3`| and the die or impression roller S4, subjecting them there to the pressure of spring |28 to cause impression in the surface F of each shell casing of the die indicia by a rolling action. The yieldability of guide 30 permits the full pressure from spring |28 to bear on the casing end E. The impressed shells are then carried further with the rotation of the take-off wheels `Ei, 67| to the delivery chu-te orconveyor |33 whence they roll out of engagement with teeth 3S and are moved chute.

It is to be noted that pressure alone and no impacts are utilized for impressing the indicia upon the shell casing F. There is continuous motion, and, since the impression roller 94 actually rolls the impression into the casing end F, sharper impressions are made without requiring any provision to make an impression die carriage move in the direction of movement of the traveling shell casing.

It is obvious that the apparatus disclosed is capable of use for marking other products besides shell casings. For example, closed-ended cylinders, solid rods, and many other products may be similarly marked, itbeing necessary in each instance only to adjust the relative distance between take-off rollers ii, 6l and between the pressure roller ISI and roller 94.

It is to be noted that by tapering roller 94, its surface speed is equal to that of surfaceV F throughout the radial line of tangent contac between the two moving surfaces.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described, various modifications within the scope of the claims is contemplated. There is no intention of limitation to the exact details shown and described.

What is claimed is:

l. In apparatus of the character described, rotatable indicia impressing means arranged to engage a surface on an end of a moving body, means for rotating and imparting a surface speed to said indicia impressing means equal substantially to that of said surface of said moving body, means for moving said body surface past said indicia impressing means, guide means yieldably carried by said moving means, and engageable with the opposite end of said body, and spring actuated means engaging said guide means to press said surface of said body against said indicia impressing means with suflicient pressure to secure an impression of its indicia upon said surface by a rolling action.

2. In apparatus of the character described, rotatable indicia impressing means arranged to engage tangentially a surface on an end of a moving body, means for rotating and imparting a surface speed to said indicia impressing means along the points of tangency equal to that of said surface of said moving body, means for moving said body surface past said indicia impressing means, a guide member yieldably carried bysaid moving means and engageable with the opposite end of said body and spring-actuated means engaging said guide member to press said surface of said body against said indicia impressing means along the points of tangency with sufficient pressure to secure a rolled-in impression of its indicia upon said surface, and means for delivering bodies to said moving means.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a rotatable roller, a second rotatable roller opposite the one first named and spaced-therefrom, indicia dies on said first-named roller, a guide member yieldably carried in the space between said rollers high pressure means in association with said second-named roller urging it continuously against said guide member and toward said first-named roller, means for delivering a body to be marked between said first-named roller and said guide member and past the firstnamed roller with a surface on said body to -be marked in pressing engagement against said away from the apparatus on said conveyor or first-named roller, and means for so rotating said first-named roller as to give its surface a speed equal to that of the surface of said body moving past it whereby the indicia dies upon said first-named roller will roll indicia into said surface.

' 4. In apparatus of the character described, a rotatable roller, a second rotatable roller opposite the one first named and spaced therefrom, indicia dies on said first-named roller, a guide member yieldably carried in the space between said rollers, spring actuated high pressure means in association with said second-named roller urging it continuously against said guide member and toward said first-named roller, means for delivering a body to be marked between said first-named roller and said guide member and past'said first-named roller with a surface on said body to b-e marked in pressing engagement against said first-named roller, means for so rotating said rst-namcd roller as to give its surface a speed equal to that of the surface of said body moving past it whereby the indicia dies upon said first-named roller will roll indicia into said surface, and means for adjusting the tension of the spring of said high pressure means to vary the pressure exerted by said second-named roller against said guide member.

5. In apparatus of the character described, a

rotatable tapered roller, a second rotatable roller space between said rollers and in rolling contact with said second-named roller, high pressure spring-actuated means in association with said second-named roller urging it continuously against said guide member and toward said rstnamed roller, rotatable means for delivering a body to be marked between said first-named roller and said guide member and past said rstnamed roller, with a surface on an end thereof to be marked in pressing engagement against said first-named roller, said guide member being carried by and rotatable with said delivering means, means for so rotating said first-named roller as to give its surface a speed equal to that of the surface of said body moving past it whereby the indicia dies upon said rst-named roller will roll indicia into said surface, means for sup porting said first-named roller so that the line of tangency between it and said surface moving past it is substantially vertical, and means for adjusting the said spring-actuated means to vary its pressure.

6. In apparatus of the character described, a tapered rotatable roller supported on a biased spindle, whose angle is sufficient to maintain the surface of said roller substantially vertical at one side thereof, `indicia dies on the surface cf said roller, a second roller opposite the vertical surface of said first-named roller, and spaced apart therefrom, a pivotally supported yoke member for carrying said second roller, spring means tending to urge said yoke and its supported roller towards said tapered roller, means for varying the tension of said spring means, a yieldably supported ring member in rolling contact with said second roller, means for delivering a body having a surface to be marked between said ring member and said tapered roller and past the latter with its said surface facing said firstnamed roller and in ltangent contact therewith, said ring member being carried by yand movable with said body delivering means, and means for rotating said first-named roller as to give its surface a speed equal to that of the surface of said body moving past it at the tangency whereby said indicia dies will roll indicia into said surface of said body. Y

7. In apparatus of the character described, a tapered roller, marking indicia carried on said roller and projecting from the tapered surface, means for rotatably supporting said roller so that one portion of its tapered surface is substantially vertical, a second roller rotatably supported opposite said tapered roller in spaced relationship therewith, a guide member yieldably supported adjacent to said second roller and in surface contact therewith, means for moving a body having a vertical end face between said guide member and the vertical portion of said tapered roller, with said end face in contact with said vertical portion, spring means acting on said second-named roller to press the latter against said guide member, and said guide member against the opposite end of said body whereby said end face is pressed against said vertical portion of said tapered roller, and means for rotating said tapered roller so that its tapered surface has a surface speed equal to that of the end face of said moving body whereby said marking indicia are rolled into said end face.

8. In apparatus of the character described, a rotatable tapered roller, a biased spindle for supporting said roller whose angle is sufficient to maintain a surface of said roller substantially vertical at one side thereof, removable indicia dies carried by said roller, a pivotally supported yoke member adapted to swing on a vertical axis toward and away from said roller, a crowned roller rotatably supported by said yoke member opposite the Vertical surface of said tapered roller and spaced apart therefrom, adjustable spring means for urging said yoke member toward said tapered roller, a yieldable ring iny rolling contact with said crowned roller, means for moving a body having a surface to be marked between said ring and said tapered roller and past the latter and with its said surface facing said tapered roller and in tangent contact therewith, said yieldable ring member being carried by said moving means, and means for rotating said tapered roller so as to give its surface a speed equal to that of the surface of said body moving past it at the tangency whereby the pressure exerted by said spring will causev said indicia dies to roll indicia into the said surface of said moving body.

9. In a marking apparatus having means for impressing indicia upon end surfaces of moving tubular bodies, means for moving said bodies past said indicia impressing means, said moving means comprising spaced-apart discs, a shaft to which said discs are splined, each of said discs having teeth located at regular intervals around their circumferences, said teeth having -hooklike shape with arcuately curved spaces between adjacent pairs of teeth, each of said spaces being adapted to receive and nestone of said bodies, a guide member yieldably supported by one of said disc members for guiding an end of each of said bodies, and means for rotating said shaft whereby said discs will successively and positively move each of said bodies past said indicia impressing means.

JOHN E. FERGUSON. 

